People: New Zealand gives royals Maori hello
Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Kate, have arrived in New Zealand’s capital to cheers from locals who braved windy, rainy weather to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed in the fog-shrouded city of Wellington today along with their baby son, George, to kick off a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia.
Prime Minister John Key greeted the couple before they were whisked off to Government House where they received a traditional Maori welcome.
William and Kate plan to spend the next few weeks enjoying a wine tasting at a local vineyard, meeting with “The Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson, going on a jet boat ride and visiting Christchurch, which was devastated by an earthquake in 2011.
‘Today’ show’s Scott weds girlfriend
NBC says 80-year-old Willard Scott has tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend.
The veteran “Today” show personality and Paris Keena were wed Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla. They have been together for about 11 years, “Today” host Matt Lauer said in sharing the news on Wednesday morning’s telecast.
The jovial Scott has been a part of “Today” since 1980.
Chili Peppers’ Flea writing book
Michael “Flea” Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has embarked on a “sacred” mission: writing a memoir.
The 51-year-old bassist has a deal with Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Grand Central announced Tuesday that the book, currently untitled, would be a window into Flea’s “intense and dynamic life.” He will cover his years with singer Anthony Kiedis and his “tumultuous” path with the Red Hot Chili Peppers over the past three decades. The band has sold more than 80 million records and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
In a statement released through the publisher, Flea says he regards books as “sacred” and that they had helped shape his identity.
The birthday bunch
Actor James Garner is 86. Actor Wayne Rogers is 81. Country singer Bobby Bare is 79. Movie director Francis Ford Coppola is 75. Singer Patricia Bennett (The Chiffons) is 67. Singer John Oates is 65. Singer Janis Ian is 63. Actor Jackie Chan is 60. Actor Russell Crowe is 50. Actor Bill Bellamy is 49. Actress Heather Burns is 39. Actor Kevin Alejandro is 38. Actor Ed Speleers (TV: “Downton Abbey”) is 26. Actor Conner Rayburn is 15.